New Town in August

May through September gives you the best shot at decent weather, though Edinburgh's idea of summer might surprise you — pack layers even in July. August means Festival season: the city transforms but accommodation prices triple and booking anything becomes a nightmare. June and September offer the sweet spot — longer days, fewer crowds, and you can actually get a table at restaurants without booking weeks ahead. The Christmas markets in December turn Princes Street Gardens into something magical, but you're trading warmth for atmosphere. Spring comes late here — April can still feel like winter, but when those cherry blossoms bloom in the Princes Street Gardens around May, the city wakes up. Winter has its charm if you don't mind 4pm sunsets and the occasional snow that makes those Georgian streets look like a Christmas card.